It was in the late 70's that George Lucas offered Steven Spielberg the idea of doing a film based upon old Saturday matinee serials. Watching it again on DVD, one is struck once again by the power of practical effects. While we currently live in an age where computer effects allow filmmakers to show us just about anything, there's something about a reliance upon practical effects that seems to inspire the best. Their near-cheesiness at times is also charming (see also: Sam Raimi's "Army of Darkness"). Watching it, one also wonders when Harrison Ford lost his sense of humor.

As if anyone wasn't already familiar, Ford stars as Indiana Jones, professor of archaeology by day and archaeologist pretty much every other moment of the day, searching across the globe for precious artifacts. The first scene is one of the most famous in action movie history, as, when trying to retrieve one particular artifact, Dr. Jones is met with a two-ton boulder rolling down to greet him.

After a short rest where we see Indy in his day job, we find out the quest: the Nazis are after the Ark of the Covenant, which would give its holder the ultimate power. Indy manages to find a piece that will lead him towards it in the hands of ex-girlfriend Marion (Karen Allen), but unfortunately, rival Rene Belloq (Paul Freeman) is also on their tail.

"Raiders" - along with the other "Jones" pictures - is a great deal of fun, not only because of the classic staging of some of the scenes and the humor, but because everyone involved seems to be having a great time, which rubs off on the audience. As for the humor, there's many classic moments, such as when Indy and his sidekick (John Rhys-Davies) peer into a tomb, only to find snakes. "Asps. Very dangerous." says Sallah (Davies) to Indy, whose only weakness and most popular hatred seems to be snakes. Sallah then turns to his friend and dryly states, "You go first." Ford's deadpan sense of humor, never stronger than in this series (and it really hasn't returned much since) is certainly one of the best elements of the three films. I can't imagine the original choice for the series - Tom Selleck - being the same sort of success in the role as Ford.

Perfectly paced and backed by a classic John Williams score, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" still stands up surprisingly well years later. Ford is still perfect and the movie's mix of humor, action and globe-hopping excitement is easy to get swept up in.